A. I worked by myself the first year and signed up a thousand members in Columbus that year. In the beginning, I went door-to-door selling the membership.

Q. You literally knocked on people's doors?

A. Yes. I was a pretty reserved, quiet person, so that was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I remember one of the first houses I went to, her name was Patty. She was so excited that she bought two memberships, one for herself and one for her son. Then she asked me: How many memberships do you have now? I said, 'Well, that makes three!' (Laughs.) She then hurried to get a list of contractors she had used and friends she insisted I call. To this day I thank Patty for taking a leap of faith.